TRENTON – On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) called on Governor Christie and New Jersey Transit to reconsider the proposed bus route eliminations that would severely limit options for East Brunswick commuters traveling to Manhattan and North Jersey and requested that a hearing be held in Middlesex County to allow concerned residents the opportunity to weigh in.

“NJ Transit has proposed the elimination of three bus routes throughout the entire state, all of which serve East Brunswick and are heavily utilized,” said Buono.

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“However the agency has not scheduled any public hearings in East Brunswick or anywhere in Middlesex County. Today, I reached out to the Governor and NJ Transit and asked that they not only reconsider the elimination of these lines, but at the very least schedule a hearing in the East Brunswick vicinity to allow residents a chance to voice their concerns and offer up solutions. I also reached out to NJ Transit today to request a meeting between Executive Director Jim Weinstein, myself and East Brunswick Mayor David Stahl to discuss other viable cost saving options.”

Buono said that her office has been inundated with inquiries from concerned residents fearful that their long relied upon commuting options will soon be eliminated.

“One of my constituents said it best: ‘It is beyond my comprehension that the only three bus lines being discontinued in their entirety serve East Brunswick and the surrounding communities. We also know that these bus lines do not have ridership issues that would warrant their elimination. I should know because I take the bus everyday, and more often than not, there are always a number of riders who have to stand because there are no seats.’ All the commuters we heard from echo similar concerns,” added Buono.